Mr. Edward Magorium: 37 seconds.
Molly Mahoney: Great. Well done. Now we wait.
Mr. Edward Magorium: No. We breathe. We pulse. We regenerate. Our hearts beat. Our minds create. Our souls ingest. 37 seconds, well used, is a lifetime. 

-- Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

On cultural awareness

Recently attended a MUHI Crossing Borders, Cultural Awareness program, which provided valuable insight and, simply said, perspective, on asylum seekers and refugees living within Australia, focussing especially on the difficulties they experience after arrival, cultural differences, and how we, as medical personnel, will best be able to speak to them, gain trust, establish rapport and help them find their footing in an alien nation.

The workshop concluded with a simulated patient, who was suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. After the interview, we had a chance to speak to the SP as herself, not in character, for feedback and analysis.

She covered her mouth, a wide bright smile flitting about, "Am I allowed to speak as myself yet?" Soft-spoken and full of laughter, she explains her role and the story behind her character, "This poor lady, whilst trying to flee her homeland, she accidentally stepped on a landmine and in the process, lost her baby. At night, the memories come flooding back - her baby, why didn't she protect her baby better? Then she worries about the rest of her family - her mother, father, sisters - are they well? Are they safe? Her husband is always working to support them here and always sending money back home. She sits all day at home, staring at the wall. Praying, always praying. Always, the guilt. It could have been us. Why did we live and they die? Why are we living in safety when our family members back home cower, fearing for their lives?"

This is not uncommon.
If not, one of the less horrific stories.

My goodness, the scale and depth of a world I cannot even hope to grasp even a wisp of.

I've begun to appreciate the depth and scope of all the fiction I read as a young child. You don't understand it back then, it's just a story. And you love merely the story. You never understand what teachers say when they talk 'themes' explored, but you love the story for being what it is - wonderfully painted in your mind's eye. As with all things they come with age, understanding, at last. The recent first MD student conference has drilled this thought into me.

After years and years, I finally understand.

"The unreal is more powerful than the real. Nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. It’s only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die. But things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on. If you can change the way people think. The way they see themselves. The way they see the world. You can change the way people live their lives. That’s the only lasting thing you can create."

-- Chuck Palahniuk

Travel thoughts from 2012

Life consists of meetings and partings - make the most of time you have together; talk to strangers, they may end up becoming the most important parts of your life; give the people in your life your all, love them unconditionally; don't be petty, especially with money - it is easily replenished, but not a broken relationship. Sometimes, just let some things go; don't be so prone to anger; be patient, be kind and compassionate, be bold, be brave; where possible, give; appreciate what you have and be thankful always.

We all start off as strangers, but somehow, something brings us together. Do you believe in fate? I do. Somehow in the course of the year, I forgot this belief, and let the demons of my present take me. Whatever will be, will be. It doesn't mean you do naught and let the course of nature take over, but rather, just let things be. If you experience a setback, then it is for a reason - though not always to be known immediately. Live your days into your unanswered questions. Don't be so neurotic and controlling about every single aspect of your life. Just breathe. Let it go. Don't be cynical about love either, whether you achieve the coveted happily ever after depends on your choices and how willing you are to give, how hard you work, how strong your will is in never giving up on the person you love.

Remember that there is always a way. Functional end arteries of the heart were designed so an alternate path could be developed and taken in dire need. We can do the same.

While on the bus back to I-lan from Taipei, December 16 2012